Newbie XC Bike Questions!

[Ralph Wiggum.]

Gday guys! As the title suggests I'm a newbie about to purchase a 2nd hand hardtail XC bike (under $1500) for a couple of reasons: a) to complement my training (distance runner), b) to commute a little, and c) to clock up some km's both on/off-road. After looking in shops, on forums, and even in the tradingpost, I've found 2 bikes that might fit the bill but theres dilemma's with both (of course!).

Bike 1 (drumroll pls): 00' Giant MCM Team carbon, XT running gear, Judy XC forks, 'above average cond' $1000. Problem is the bike has V-brakes as opposed to disc, but its local (Melb).

Bike 2: 01' Giant ATX890, SID's, XT front/LX rear, f/r hydro discs, Mallet C pedals, VGC $1200. Problem is that it comes with Cyclocross road rims (commuter?) and I'd have to change them, and its in Sydney so it'd have to be freighted.

So what do you guys think? Buy the MCM and put hydro discs ($?), or pickup the ATX and fork out for freight and new wheelset?

Thanks in advance!

PS. I'm 6ft, 64kg if that matters

[struggles]

If the mcm has xt v-brakes stick with them, you don't really need discs

[Ralph Wiggum.]

You think? Also I found out that the ATX has a mechanical disc as opposed to the hydro advertised

[Grover]

get the mcm. it's a fairly high level bike so the odds are that the v brakes will be good quality. for what you want to do they will be fine, you won't need discs. the winner of the xc world championships still uses v brakes on a xc duallie. the other thing to consider would be the fork. make sure it's in good condition or with the extra $500 bucks in your budget buy some skareb comps from phantomcycles.com.au

[Velophile]

Neither.

Check out Cul's Avanti.

http://www.farkin.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12664

New drivetrain, Avid disks & in Geelong.
To add a new fork is within your budget.

[Cúl-Báire]

:oops: Thanx Velo :D

Mmmm Where to begin, they both sound like good choices on paper, I guess you'd have to go further into the history etc... of the bike frame and forks.

Bike 1) I cant speak from experience, but I hear that the MCM's were well... flexy (apparently :oops: ). Your 65kg's, you probably wouldn't notice it too much but a 190lbs powerhouse like myself would probably snap the thing in half :P... In all seriousness though, it sounds like an ok bike, as it is local have a friend (bike person), or a bike shop check it over for you, check for Stratches (deepish) in the frame.

Bike 2) Sounds ok, shipping a full bike is a major pain in the ass, and the wheels, while they may be ok for comuting, it is a mountain bike, and you will want to venture off road... I think I have said enough. Probably not your best option.

What size are both bikes?

*SHAMELESS ADVERTISING WARNING*
Now to talk up a storm... Well where to start, my bike would be suited for your purposes, I use it for races, MTB riding, quiet offten road riding, and even just to look at :P It has quiet a few miles on it, but everything is still workin fine and dandy. I am bit of a maintnece freek :oops:... PM me if you wish to know more about it.

[josh]

My cats breath smells like cat food!

Alrighty then...Ralph, I probably wouldn't worry too much about V Brakes. They do work extremely well when set up correctly, and for yourself, discs probably aren't going to give you any extra advantage. I guess it also depends on weather conditions, what trails and things you'll be riding as well. But for a bike just being used to complement your long distance training, V Brakes should be sufficient.

[luckyphil]

as u are a begginer, you might find it easier to use v-brakes as they are much easier to set up properly yourself. i use XT's myself and find them just as good as mech discs in the dry.
if u end up shipping the bike from sydney it may end up costing you at least $100 (correct me if i'm wrong ppl?). also, if you intend to clock up some miles on it, its important to get the right size frame, dont just think because the seat is the right hieght you'll be fine, as top tube length, cranks etc. is also very important. over time u can develop problems if things arent correctly fitted. i would sugggest taking someone with you who knows there shit.
make sure you predict the cost of shoes, knicks, jersey, decent helmet, gloves etc. into your equation. u should set aside maybe $300? for all the kit...
so if u have 1200, dont buy a 1200 dollar bike, because you might find u need to buy a new seat or something and u wont have any spare cash...
on the other hand, if your older and have a real job, you'll be fine.
i'm gonna shut up now.

[ryd_mtb]

I agree with everyone else when the tell you to take someone with you. The seller has probably talked it up a bit (we all do it) so you don't wanna be screwed over.

About the brakes, listen to Grover, the only advantage of mech discs over some good Vees is that they work better in the wet, that's it, oh and they are heavier.

My recommendation, check out Cul's bike or go the MCM, carbon is very sexy

[josh]

Something of note, courier from sydney to melb will be craploads less than $100.

For reference, my M1 with spares packed into a box (ended up being 30kilo's), would have been $35-40 from Sydney to Toowoomba (near brisbane).

P.S. Thanks wombat ;)

[Ralph Wiggum.]

Aaah thanks a bundle dudes! I knew you'd come to my rescue.
Josh/Grover: thanks for pointing out the pros/cons of V-brakes.
Cul: your bike is nice, but I think I'm sold on this Giant.
Luckyphil: the bike is 19inch and I'm 6ft. Yeh I guesstimated around $500 for shoes, helmet, knicks and a decent lock and factored that in.

Stuff it, if its ok when I see it then I reckon I'll just get it. Otherwise I'll spend 3months trying to find the perfect bike for the perfect price, and I dont think that really exists!

Thanks heaps dudes...you're expertise is appreciated!